North Konkan Outing 14th February 2007.

We crack open the day with the sighting of the Thiruvananthapuram (TVC) bound 2432 Down Rajdhani. The train was on time despite of the presence of morning fog. Lalam was tracking the trend of this train for a few days on the KR website and was predicting

This is the first of the Konkan Railways tunnels – the 290 meter long Dasgaon tunnel. There are other tunnels between this location and Mumbai, but those are on the Central Railways, hence this is T1.

This is the first time we have ever walked inside a KR tunnel and it was a pleasant experience. The height as well as the width of the tunnel is much larger than the average Bhore ghat hole. There is a nice walkway on the side with adequate clearance even

The South end portal of the Dasgaon tunnel. KR starts from Roha which is 144 Kms from Mumbai CSTM. But then Roha is 0 Kms for the KR and this point is a further 50 kms south, which explains the markings on the portal. The tunnels on the KR are manned roun

The observant amongst us would have noticed this device hanging from the tunnel crown – we do not know what it is, but believe that it extends the ACD cover inside the tunnel when the train ACD sensor is not open to sky. (Apurva)

[url= http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18086210&x=73356518&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2]The Savitri River bridge [/url] is locate a few tens of meters from the Dasgaon tunnel. The morning fog obscures the details. (Apurva)

A wedge shaped stone and a few seconds of timer later, we have our souvenir photo – from the left - Satish, Lalam and Apurva. While it might seem that Satish is carrying too much of food, we had to carry our breakfast, lunch and drinking water with us,

The first of the Mumbai bound trains – this is the KR 4 Up Ratnagiri – Dadar passenger hauled by Pune’s WDM 3A # 17967R towards the Savitri river bridge. As is style on the KR, all trains, even stopping passengers, work at high speeds through all pa

Satish captures the KR 4 from the south bank of the Savitri river. (Satish)

Lalam goes one step further, and crosses the river using a local ferry (propelled by a long bamboo pole pushing on the river bed) to photograph the KR 4 from the Dasgaon village.

Back to my perspective, the KR4 Up descends the gradient off the Savitri Bridge towards the Dasgaon tunnel. Note the ACD antennae on the SLR roof. The “75” on the SLR end wall is the specification of the superior 75 ton capable screw coupler fitted on

We return to the North portal of the Dasgaon tunnel and photograph the KR 5 Down, Diva – Sawantwadi Sindhudurg passenger hauled by Golden Rock's WDM 2 # 18375.

Satish’s perspective of the KR 5 Down from a slightly different location.

We shift to a location near the Veer station where we see the 2618 Down Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Magala Lakshadweep Express hauled by Ernakulam’s WDM 2 # 16678. (Apurva)

103 Down Mandovi Express arrives from Mumbai end hauled by Krishnarajapuram’s WDP 4 # 20036. (Apurva)

Apart from warning two trains about close proximity with each other, the KR’s ACD system also warns the road users at a level crossing about the approach of a train. Here the LED lamp flasher responds to the arrival of a train. During operation, concent

Two BCN rakes arriving in opposite directions were halted at the Veer station. For some strange reason, the WDG 3A locomotives hauling the first train was cut and attached to the other and vice versa. Here, Kalyan’s baldie WDG 3A # 14567 makes an effort

The loco pilot of the Kalyan baldie WDG 3A # 14567 cuts the power to coast the rake onto the main line. (Apurva)

And then - he lets ‘er rip – the loco pilot and Apurva exchange greetings. (Lalam)

Kalyan's baldie WDG 3A # 14567 thunders out of Veer with a northbound BCN load. 2007-01-14

Next train was the balancing counterpart 2617 Up Ernakulam – Nizamuddin Magala Lakshadweep Express hauled by Ernakulam’s WDM 2 # 17108. (Apurva)

India’s only Roll On – Roll Off (RoRo) service starts from Veer for the final destination Kolad (near Roha) with Ernakulam’s WDM 2 # 16668.

The RoRo’s power, Ernakulam’s WDM 2 # 16668 arrives on the main line from Road 3 at Veer. (Apurva)

Lalam shoots the RoRo crossing Veer’s advance starter from fields located off the track. (Lalam)

There is a daily RoRo service in either direction between Kolad and Verna. The load factor seems to be good.

A scene possible only on the KR. (Lalam)

A view of the RoRo rake – the trucks travel fully fueled, loaded and with their driving crew. There is no provision to cater for the human comforts of the truck crew – the journey from Verna to Kolad could take 12 hours.